The European Office Cyprus participates in the organisation of two seminars during the "OPEN DAYS 2012 - European Week of Regions and Cities" - and the "Open Days University" event, to be held in parallel in Brussels from 8 to 11 October 2012, organised by the Committee of the Regions and DG Regional Policy.

• The EOC participates in the Capital Cities and Regions Network, where ten Capital Cities and Regions are organising a debate entitled "Capital Cities and regions: key to Europe's smart future" (10 October 2012). The debate will highlight the important role Capital Cities and Regions play in moving towards a greener economy in order to achieve smart growth for all. (Code: 10A06)

Speakers:
ALEMANNO Gianni, Mayor of Rome
BRAUNER Renate, Vice Mayor of Vienna
HAHN Johannes, Commissioner for Regional Policy
KANUTY Pierre, President Ile-de-France
KREHL Constanze, MEP
MALTHOUSE Kit, Deputy Mayor of London
VAN DER LAAN Eberhard, Mayor of Amsterdam


• Within the "Open Days University" event, the EOC organises a workshop on "Smart Academic Cities" together with UNICA, the Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (9 October 2012). The innovative "Smart Academic Cities" concept is based on the "smart cities" model and applies the same six characteristic features of a "smart city": smart people, smart economy, smart governance, smart mobility, smart environment and smart living. The aim of the workshop, an EOC initiative, is to offer the floor to different city stakeholders: renowned academics and researchers in the field of urban development, policymakers, businesses, and students. It will showcase good practices and offer a lively forum for the exchange of ideas and knowledge on how Smart Academic Cities can foster regional and local economic development. (Code: 09UNIV03)

Speakers:
ZENIOS Stavros, Professor of Finance and Management Science, University of Cyprus, President of UNICA Network
COCQUET Patrick, CEO Cap Digital, Business Cluster For Digital Content and Services
DE GREVE Jean-Pierre, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
PALL Allan, President European Students Union
THEUMA Anton, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Sustainable Development - University of Malta
TUFFS Richard, Director of ERRIN (European Regions for Research and Innovation Network)
VAN HEUR Bas, Professor of Cultural Geography - Urban Development, Vrije Universiteit Brussel


The registrations for the Open Days 2012 are open at the following website:
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/conferences/od2012/reg_frame.cfm